No beneficiaries

The transition period is the period beginning when the United Kingdom left the European Union at midnight on 31 January 2020 and ending on 31 December 2020. During this period, the right to free movement of persons continued to be applied to all UK nationals and their families as agreed in the Withdrawal Agreement.

The Withdrawal Agreement provides for a transition period from 1 February 2020 to 31 December 2020, with virtually no change for all UK nationals and their families. During this period, they retained their right to free movement and residence in the same way as when they were Union citizens. No distinction was made during this period between UK nationals and their family members who already resided in Belgium before 1 February 2020 and those who enter after that date.

The entry and residence rights of UK nationals who did not reside in Belgium under EU law at the end of the transition period are part of the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union after the withdrawal.

With regard to the conditions for short stays (maximum 90 days over a period of 180 days), it was decided to include UK nationals on the list of visa-free countries. This means that you do not need a visa to come to Belgium for a short stay. This applies insofar as Union citizens are treated in the same way by the United Kingdom.

As far as long stays are concerned, you are no longer able to invoke the conditions applicable to Union citizens after the transition period. You will be subject to the general rules applicable to third-country nationals in Belgium.

You are not protected by the Withdrawal Agreement and can no longer benefit from the favourable conditions applicable to family members of beneficiaries. You fall back on the existing general rules for family reunification with a third country national.

These can be found on our website: Regroupement familial

You do not need a visa to stay in Belgium for a maximum of 90 days.

Don't forget that you will always have to pass through ALL PASSPORTS at the border. You must always have a valid identity card or passport. Your passport will be stamped.

If you had planned medical care in Belgium that has already been approved before the end of the transition period, the same border formalities were applied as before the end of the transition period for the entire duration of treatment. This applied both to you and your accompanying person until the end of your treatment.